Home » Asus Manuals » Motherboards » Asus Crosshair II Formula » Manual Viewer

Asus Crosshair II Formula User Manual - Page 48

Primary PCI Express x16 slots, Universal PCI Express x16 slots max. x8 mode

UPC - 610839160044

View all Asus Crosshair II Formula manuals

Add to My Manuals
Save this manual to your list of manuals

Page 48 highlights

Primary PCI Express x16 slots The primary PCI Express x16 slots support PCI Express x16 graphics cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. Universal PCI Express x16 slots (max. x8 mode) This motherboard also supports universal PCI Express x16 slots with a maximum speed of 8 GB/s. The operating frequency of this slot changes, depending on the type of PCI Express card you install. Refer to the table below for details. VGA configuration Single VGA/PCIe card Dual VGA/PCIe card Triple VGA/PCIe card PCI Express operating mode PCIex16_1 PCIex16_2 PCIex16_3 x16 x8 x16 x16 N/A x16 x16 x8 x8 When running 3-Way SLI™ mode, the PCIe operating frequency will reach x8, x8, x8. • We recommend that you install a VGA card to the primary (blue) PCI Express x16 slots, and install any other PCI Express device to the universal (white) PCI Express x16 slot. • Currently, only NVIDIA® SLI™-Ready GeForce® 8800 Ultra and GeForce® 8800 GTX graphics cards support 3-Way SLI™ mode. • 3-Way SLI™ mode is supported by Windows® Vista OS only. For more information, go to NVIDIA® official website (www.nvidia.com). • Currently, only NVIDIA® GeForce® 8500 GT and GeForce® 8400 GS graphics cards support GeForce Boost function under Hybrid SLI™ mode. • Currently, only NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800 GX2 and GeForce® 9800 GTX graphics cards support Hybrid Power function under Hybrid SLI™ mode. • Hybrid SLI™ mode is supported by Windows® Vista OS only. For more information, go to www.nvidia.com/hybridsli. • Before enabling the HybridPower™ function, ensure that you have connected your display to the onboard VGA port or the HDMI/DVI port at the rear panel. Refer to 2.8.1 Rear panel connectors for details. • Connect a rear chassis fan to the motherboard connector labeled OPT_FAN1/2 when using multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment. See page 2-32 for details. • We recommend that you provide sufficient power when running NVIDIA® SLI™ mode. See page 2-34 for details. 2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Section	Page
Contents	3
Notices	8
Safety information	9
About this guide	10
Crosshair II Formula specifications summary	12
Chapter 1: Product introduction	15
1.1 Welcome!	17
1.2 Package contents	17
1.3 Special features	18
1.3.1 ROG Intelligent Performance & Overclocking features	18
1.3.2 ROG unique features	19
1.3.3 Product highlights	22
Chapter 2: Hardware information	25
2.1 Before you proceed	27
2.2 Motherboard overview	30
2.2.1 Placement direction	30
2.2.2 Screw holes	30
2.2.3 Motherboard layout	31
2.2.4 Audio card layout	31
2.2.5 Layout contents	32
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	34
2.3.1 Installing the CPU	34
2.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fan	36
2.3.3 Installing the optional fans	39
2.4 System memory	40
2.4.1 Overview	40
2.4.2 Memory configurations	41
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM	44
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM	44
2.5 Expansion slots	45
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card	45
2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card	45
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments	46
2.5.4 PCI slots	47
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots	47
2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots	47
2.6 Slide switch	49
2.7 Audio card, I/O shield, and LCD Poster installation	50
2.7.1 Audio card Installation	50
2.7.2 I/O shield and LCD Poster Installation	51
2.8 Connectors	52
2.8.1 Rear panel connectors	52
2.8.2 Internal connectors	55
2.8.3 Onboard switches	66
Chapter 3: Powering up	67
3.1 Starting up for the first time	69
3.2 Turning off the computer	70
3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function	70
3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch	70
Chapter 4: BIOS setup	71
4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS	73
4.1.1 ASUS Update utility	73
4.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility	76
4.1.3 Updating the BIOS	77
4.1.4 Saving the current BIOS file	79
4.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility	80
4.2 BIOS setup program	81
4.2.1 BIOS menu screen	82
4.2.2 Menu bar	82
4.2.3 Legend bar	83
4.2.4 Menu items	83
4.2.5 Sub-menu items	83
4.2.6 Configuration fields	83
4.2.7 Pop-up window	84
4.2.8 General help	84
4.3 Extreme Tweaker menu	85
4.3.1 Configuring System Performance Settings	85
4.4 Main menu	94
4.4.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx]	94
4.4.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]	94
4.4.3 Language [English]	94
4.4.4 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]	94
4.4.5 Primary IDE Master/Slave	95
4.4.6 SATA 1–4	97
4.4.7 HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled]	98
4.4.8 Installed Memory [xxx MB]	98
4.4.9 Usable Memory [xxx MB]	98
4.4.10 System Information	98
4.5 Advanced menu	99
4.5.1 AI NET2	99
4.5.2 PCIPnP	100
4.5.3 Onboard Device Configuration	101
4.5.4 USB Configuration	102
4.5.5 IDE Function Setup	103
4.5.6 MCP Storage Config	103
4.5.7 LCD Poster and Onboard LED Control	104
4.6 Power menu	106
4.6.1 ACPI Suspend Type [S1&S3]	106
4.6.2 ACPI APIC support [Enabled]	106
4.6.3 APM Configuration	107
4.6.4 Hardware Monitor	108
4.7 Boot menu	112
4.7.1 Boot Device Priority	112
4.7.2 Removable Drives	113
4.7.3 Hard Disk Drives	113
4.7.4 CDROM Drives	113
4.7.5 Boot Settings Configuration	114
4.7.6 Security	115
4.8 Tools menu	117
4.8.1 ASUS O.C. Profile	117
4.8.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2	119
4.9 Exit menu	120
Chapter 5: Software support	121
5.1 Installing an operating system	123
5.2 Support DVD information	123
5.2.1 Running the support DVD	123
5.2.2 Drivers menu	124
5.2.3 Utilities menu	125
5.2.4 Make Disk menu	127
5.2.5 Manuals menu	128
5.2.6 Video menu	128
5.2.7 ASUS Contact information	129
5.2.8 Other information	129
5.3 Software information	131
5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3™	131
5.3.2 AI NET 2	133
5.3.3 AI Audio 2 (SoundMAX® High Definition Audio utility)	134
5.3.4 ASUS PC Probe II	143
5.3.5 ASUS AI Suite	149
5.3.6 ASUS AI Gear 2	151
5.3.7 ASUS AI Nap	152
5.3.8 ASUS Q-Fan Plus	153
5.3.9 ASUS AI Booster 2	154
5.3.10 CPU Level Up	155
5.4 RAID configurations	156
5.4.1 RAID definitions	156
5.4.2 NVIDIA® RAID configurations	157
5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk	164
5.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS	164
5.5.2 Creating a RAID/SATA driver disk in Windows®	164
Chapter 6: NVIDIA®technology support	167
6.1 NVIDIA® SLI™ technology	169
6.1.1 Requirements	169
6.1.2 Graphics card setup	170
6.1.3 Installing the device drivers	174
6.1.4 Enabling the NVIDIA® SLI™ technology in Windows®	174
6.2 NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology	177
6.2.1 System requirements	177
6.2.2 Enabling GeForce® Boost and HybridPower™	178
Appendix: Debug code table	181